Sunday, March 31, 2013

Freeride World Tour athlete and mountain guide Samuel Anthamatten presents the basics of avalanche safety. First, the gear: transceiver, probe and shovel. And then Sam goes on with snow layers analysis and compression test on a snow tower.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

From April 12th to 13th the legendary Allalin Races take place in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. Around 1000 participants are expected at the amateur downhill race. The track descends over a length of 9 kilometers and overcomes an altitude difference of 1800 meters – no wonder your legs start burning! This year the worldcup skistars from Valais Fränzi Aufdenblatten and Silvan Zurbriggen will open the His&Hers Race on Friday. The other participants of the race can challenge themselves by trying to be better than them. Afterwards Fränzi and Silvan will give their autographs at the VIP-tent.The Allalin Races in Saas-Fee belong to the four most popular amateur downhill races in Switzerland. The “Super Vier” amateur downhill series consists of the four races Belalp-Hexe, the Inferno Mürren, the Parsenn Derby Davos and the Allalin Races Saas-Fee. Every year the overall masters of the whole series will be announced. The award ceremony and the presentation of the much-coveted cup always take place at the Allalin Races in Saas-Fee as it is the last one of the series.For over 30 years the Allalin Races and the famous afterparties attract ambitious amateur racers as well as wintersports fans who join the competition just for fun. Surrounded by the highest mountains in Switzerland the race starts on an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level and aims the village on only 1800 meters.The challenging downhill race was mastered for the first time in 1946. Back than the participants had to hike up to the mountain hut on Längfluh, only to get up the next morning and hike further to the top of the Allalinhorn on 4027 meters. The following race down didn’t happen on perfectly prepared slopes like nowadays. No, they had to pass the dangerous crevasses while getting through powder snow.Participants can enter four different categories: the Team Race, the Fun Team Race, the His&Hers Race, and the individual men’s or women’s races. Men and women in the individual races usually intent to aim the best time. The participants in the Fun Team Race descend just for fun at a leisurely pace. A pit-stop at a mountain restaurant along the way is almost mandatory and dressing up is actively encouraged. Apparently, in the past a team has even plonked themselves down in the snow for a quick cheese fondue. It’s no wonder, then, that teams in this category have been known to take over five hours to “race” down to the finish line. By contrast, an ambitious, highly trained athlete can complete the course in less than five minutes!The catering in the finish-area of the race will reward the racers with food and drinks. The atmosphere already heats up around lunch time, when the duo “Alpenflieger” starts playing their partysongs. In the evening the rockband “Wildbach” all the way from Austria will get everybody to dance.

Friday, March 29, 2013

The Canadian rock quartet Nickelback will be opening the winter season 2013/2014 and bringing the stage of the legendary Top of the Mountain Opening Concert to life with their imposing music and lights show. With five Grammy nominations and over 50 million album sales, Nickelback is one of the world’s most successful bands. They will be visiting the Alpine lifestyle metropolis of Ischgl on 30 November 2013.
Rousing hard rock and full-sounding ballads: Nickelback knows how to give people goose bumps and defy pigeonholing! This band from Alberta, Canada have been rocking their way around the world for over 20 years, packing out large halls and stadiums. On 30 November 2013, they will be entering unusual concert territory: the successful rock quartet will be opening the winter season 2013/2014 before an impressive mountain backdrop at the world-famous Top of the Mountain Opening Concert in Ischgl. Thousands of spectators will be able to watch their ‘Greatest Hits Show’ at 18:00 and sing along to tunes such as ‘How You Remind Me’, ‘Lullaby’ and ‘When We Stand Together’. Brothers Chad and Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and Daniel Adair have big shoes to fill when they play this open-air concert.
The opening of the winter season in Ischgl has become legendary for its world-class entertainment and top quality winter sport conditions. Skiing in the Silvretta Arena by day and live concerts featuring top international acts in the evening. And best of all: admission to the open-air concert is free with a valid ski pass!
Nickelback follows in the footsteps of a galaxy of superstars who have entertained skiers and boarders in the Austrian resort's traditional Top of the Mountain gig. Long time ago, Ischgl decided to put its entire advertising and marketing budget into staging two massive concerts a year to open and close the winter season. Elton John was the first star to feature in the Tirolean resort's now famous season closing concerts, back in 1995. Since then the resort has hosted Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Sting, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Atomic Kitten, Peter Gabriel, The Corrs, Alanis Morissette, Lionel Richie, Pink, the Scissor Sisters, the Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, Elton John again, Gabriella Cilmi, Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Gossip, The Killers,Roxette, Mariah Carey, The Scorpions and Deep Purple .

Impatient winter sports enthusiasts can get their fix on the snowy pistes before the concert because skiing begins in Ischgl on Thursday 28 November 2013.Ischgl (1377m) is a truly Ski Paradise in Tirol (Austria) with 238 km of prepared pistes, 43 lifts and lots of interesting new features in the ski resort. The modern lifts managed by the Silvretta Seilbahn AG Company offer a high level of comfort and countless extras, such as heated seats in the Fimbabahn cable car built for the 2007/08 season. A variety of slopes and ski routes offer a opportunity for everyone, from beginners to experts looking for challenging pistes. Eleven is the name of the longest piste with approximately 11 kilometres from the top of the ski resort in Greitspitz (2,872 metres) to Ischgl village (1,400 metres).From Ischgl you can access to the Silvretta Arena Ski Paradise, thanks to an alliance between two Companies (Silvretta Seilbahn AG and Bergbahnen Sammaun AG) and two ski resorts (Ischgl-Sammaun) from two different countries (Switzerland-Austria).

Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT) came to an end on the mythical Bec des Rosses face in Verbier, Switzerland.
The 18th edition of the legendary "Verbier Xtreme" proved once again that the 2013 season of the Freeride World Tour has taken the sport to even higher levels of progression. The most notable evolution is the spectacular mix of freestyle trickery with fast riding testing faces without holding back fluidity and control. More "traditional" big mountain chargers are still rewarded when they approach the competitions full throttle without hesitation.
Thousands of thrilled spectators onsite and more than 180'000 viewers on the live webcast watched the spectacular show go down in real time.

Friday, March 22, 2013

A historic season of the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT) came to an end with jaw dropping action on the mythical Bec des Rosses face in Verbier, Switzerland. The four Freeride World Tour Champions were crowned at the end of a six-event global series. For the 18th edition of the legendary "Verbier Xtreme" the athletes took on the challenging face with great skill. Thousands of thrilled spectators onsite and more than 180'000 viewers on the live webcast watched the spectacular show go down in real time.
Only the highest ranked 2013 FWT athletes and a few exclusive wild cards qualified for the steeps of the infamous Bec des Rosses. With a solid base, thanks to great snow conditions all season and the additional fresh snow earlier in the week, the intimidating face was in great condition to provide a world-class venue for the riders.
The final event proved once again that the 2013 season of the Freeride World Tour has taken the sport to even higher levels of progression. The most notable evolution is the spectacular mix of freestyle trickery with fast riding testing faces without holding back fluidity and control. More "traditional" big mountain chargers are still rewarded when they approach the competitions full throttle without hesitation.

Men's Ski
Victory on the Bec des Rosses and the race for the Freeride World Champion title was a true nail biter, playing out with the five last riders of the day. Kevin Guri of France skied a spectacular high speed run landing a big air, which put the Frenchman on the top spot of the day, with a score of 86.33 points. Guri, age 23, was elated taking both his first victory and podium of the year at the prestigiousThe battle for the overall title kept the fans in suspense till the very last rider out of the gate, Reine Barkered (SWE). The solid Swede and 2012 Champion took second with an outstanding run on the "Bec" but it was not enough to hold on to the title. Drew Tabke (USA), finishing an exceptional season with a sixth place at Verbier, was crowned the new Freeride World Tour Champion.
Tabke, a veteran of freeride competitions, won the season's first competition in Revelstoke (CAN) and never let go of the top spot on the overall standings. Tabke's style of riding could be described as a benchmark for the 2013 season; a very talented skier, capable of mixing freestyle tricks and big mountain skills on the same run with solid hard charging but still very fluid skiing.
"This is what I've worked for throughout almost 10 years of competition. Verbier couldn't be a better place to do it. It's a lot of time we put in. We all dedicate a lot of our lives to this so to have it come around is a big payoff for sure. There is a lot of amazing history in freeriding that has pushed us to this moment and I'm really excited to see what will happen the next few years too".

Men's Snowboard

Ralph Backstrom (USA) doubled it down by taking victory and winning the World Champion title with a close to flawless run on the Bec des Rosses. Scoring the high points of 93.67. Backstrom charged down the face right out of the start gate, taking several impressive airs. The battle for first was severe, as several potential champions were putting it all on the line to earn the top spot. Big mountain rider Aurélien Routens' (FRA) confidence almost paid off, but he still managed to take second in front of his countryman and defending World Champion Jonathan Charlet in third.
Ralph Backstrom, probably the most consistent rider of the field, has been close to the Freeride World Tour title for several years. The talented American was very moved to finally have reached the top spot: "I've got no words. I'm pretty emotional. I've had a lot of years trying to get this. I've been second a few times and really happy to finally take down the whole tour! There have been a few ups and downs this year, first winning in Revelstoke and then quite a variable season, so I'm really stoked to end on a high note here in Verbier".

Women's Ski After her rookie success, taking second at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal (AUT), Matilda Rapaport of Sweden received a wildcard to Verbier only two days ago. She continued her streak by dominating the women's field on the intimidating face, starting the run with an impressive cliff drop, charging down with very solid riding and several big jumps. She took the prestigious victory by scoring 84.67 points. The second wild card of the day, Austrian Lorraine Huber, skied a similar line and scored second place with 81.0 points.
Austrian Nadine Wallner (AUT) could have played it safe in Verbier as she already had secured the World Champion title after her victory at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal. But once again she demonstrated consistent, strong skiing, finishing third. Wallner, who qualified for the tour through the Freeride World Qualifier system, was still overwhelmed by her performance: "It's hard to believe it. It's my first year on the tour and I did not expect to win the overall title! I was focusing on each contest. Every competition is special and I was really stoked to ski the Bec des Rosses for the first time in such great conditions!".

Women's Snowboard

In a tight and very competent field of women snowboarders, Elodie Mouthon (FRA) came out on top on the Bec des Rosses with the high score of 86.33 points. Her fast, aggressive riding paid off, linking several great airs in a fluid line. The local rookie Estelle Ballet (SUI) earned respect by taking second in front of season favorite Margot Rozies (FRA) even though both riders had similar impressive runs down the powder covered face.With the win in Verbier and a total of four podium finishes, Elodie Mouthon, managed to grab the Freeride World Champion title on her first year on the tour. "I am really thrilled to both win here today and win the world champion title. It's my first season on the tour and I am happy with my overall results at each event. It helped me build confidence coming in to the finals today. I felt good on the face and my goal was to do a fluid but challenging run".

Nicolas Hale-Woods, FWT General Manager Europe wraps it up: “Year after year the athletes keep on enthralling us at the Verbier Xtreme. The Bec des Rosses is unique and we’re very proud to be on our 18th edition of the event! The level of riding has been amazing all season. The sport is progressing every year. With hundred thousands of people now following the tour, either live on the Internet, onsite at events or in the media, the sport has grown to a higher level of international recognition. The spectacular riding, the international representation of athletes, the high quality imagery we produce and the wish to step it up at each event has allowed us to reach an all time high regarding spectator figures and media coverage. Now, with solid partners and resorts, we can already confirm that we will announce the 2014 in weeks to come",

Thursday, March 21, 2013

All the excitement comes to a head at the sixth and final stage, the Swatch Xtreme Verbier 2013 by The North Face. The four Freeride World Tour Champions will be crowned at the 18th edition of the “Xtreme” when the athletes take on the legendary and notorious Bec des Rosses, considered the pinnacle of freeride competitions.
Due to a storm predicted to hit the Verbier St Bernard region on Saturday, the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT) was re-scheduled to take place one day earlier than announced, on Friday March 22. Competition will start at 9 am CET (1 am PST) and live will start from 8:45 am.

With its extreme nature, only the best 12 male skiers, 6 male snowboarders, 5 female skiers and 4 female snowboarders of the 2013 FWT are qualified for the finals on the steeps of Bec des Rosses. In addition, there will also a few exciting exclusive wild cards, including three-time world snowboard champion Xavier de Le Rue (FRA) and five-time Xtreme winner Steve Klassen (USA) in the male snowboard division, as well as Stefan Haeusl(AUT), Aurélien Ducroz (FRA), Samuel Anthamatten (SUI) and Seb Michaud (FRA) in the male skiers. In the snowboard category, upcoming talent and local rider Estelle Ballet (SUI) will also take part in the competition on her home mountain. Crystal Wright (USA) and Lorraine Huber (AUT), actual leader of the FWQ ranking also got the chance to ski the « Bec » in the female ski category.

The venue: Bec des Rosses.

This is the intimidatingly steep, massive pyramid of snow and rock where the final competition, the Xtreme Verbier is held each year. Its name alone is enough to strike fear into the hearts of those who have ridden it, as well as those who will confront it for the first time.
Few benchmarks in sports stand the test of time quite like the Xtreme Verbier. Surfing has Jaws. Formula One has the Monaco Grand Prix. Freeride has the Bec des Rosses. 2013 will be the 18th year in a row that a freeride competition has been held on this face, and new lines continue to be uncovered and new styles put to the test.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The third Winter Games NZ will feature no less than seven World Cup events plus an elite international curling tournament as the world’s best snow sports athletes head to New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps from 15-25 August.
One of the top five winter sports events in the world, this year’s Games is once again essential Olympic preparation for many international teams as they prepare for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
The sports programme for Winter Games NZ 2013 includes FIS World Cups in halfpipe and slopestyle for both snowboarding and freeskiing, plus two IPC World Cup adaptive alpine slaloms and an IPC Para-snowboard cross World Cup.
Cardrona Alpine Resort will host both World Cup halfpipe events with the freeski competition set to feature New Zealand stars Jossi and Byron Wells. Cardrona also hosts the IPC Para-snowboard Cross World Cup plus the Continental Cup SBX race.
Both slopestyle World Cup events take place across the valley at Snow Park NZ while Queenstown’s Coronet Peak hosts the IPC alpine slalom adaptive World Cups in addition to FIS Continental Cup slalom and giant slalom races.
Completing the programme are a sprint cross-country skiing Continental Cup at Snow Farm and eight days of world-class competition at Naseby’s International Curling Rink.
Winter Games NZ chairman, Sir Eion Edgar said there was an unprecedented level of interest ahead of this year’s event with the reputation of the Games growing around the world and the 2014 Winter Olympics just around the corner.
"The previous two Games in 2009 and 2011 established a new standard of winter sports competition in the Southern Hemisphere. Not only does Winter Games NZ provide an opportunity for northern hemisphere athletes to compete during their summer it also plays a major role in the development of New Zealand athletes as they continue to make their mark on the world stage", he said.
"New Zealand will once again be the focus of the world’s snow sports community this August. We look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes, coaches, media and spectators to our excellent facilities and broadcasting the event to millions more around the world through our new TV and digital partnership with IMG Media".
Winter Games NZ 2013 takes place over 11-days from 15-25 August. Set against the spectacular backdrop of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, the Games also include a full Downtown Sessions festival programme featuring films, live music and entertainment in Queenstown and Lake Wanaka.

Monday, March 18, 2013

In front of the cheering crowd Silas Chickering-Ayers (USA), Sammy Luebke (USA), Nadine Wallner (AUT) and Elodie Mouthon (FRA) scored the highest points in their respective disciplines at the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT) at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal, Austria. The fifth and last event prior to the grande finale in Verbier (SUI), saw intense competition at the highest level. The event was decisive for athletes to score enough points to earn a spot for the finals and qualify for next year. The top ranked riders needed to place well to stay or break into the competition for the overall World Champion title. The fierce battle continues to win the first ever, unified Freeride World Tour Champion titles after a sensational season.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

In front of the cheering crowd Silas Chickering-Ayers (USA), Sammy Luebke (USA), Nadine Wallner (AUT) and Elodie Mouthon (FRA) scored the highest points in their respective disciplines at the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face 2013 (FWT) at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal, Austria. The fifth and last event prior to the grande finale in Verbier (SUI), saw intense competition at the highest level.
After a week’s waiting period, due to difficult snow and weather conditions, the sun finally came out at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal. With blue bird skies and a 20 cm cover of fresh snow on the 600-metre Wildseeloder north face an action-packed contest went down on the long and demanding face. Riders had to negotiate a mix of deep powder, wind affected snow and hard layers.
The battle has been tough all season as more than 80 competing athletes have had one thing in mind: to make it to the finals in Verbier! The spots are few. Only the top 12 men skiers, five men snowboarders, five women skiers and four women snowboarders qualify to the last and final competition. The competition at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal was their last chance.

Ski Men
Impressive speed and solid riding on the difficult venue was significant among the men skiers. A new name finished on top of the podium in Silas Chickering-Ayers, only 20 years old! He took an impressive lead and his first podium of the season, scoring 81.33 points with an outstanding run. The execution was complete when he perfectly landed two huge cliff jumps and skiing fast in full control from top to bottom.
With the season’s fierce competition, Silas Chickering-Ayers does not make the cut to the finals in Verbier but claims he still needs more experience to take on the extremely challenging face of Bec des Rosses.
Swedes Wille Lindberg and Reine Barkered once again made it to the podium with a very similar approach to the mountain, well known as Barkered’s signature style of high speed, no hesitation, solid skiing and big air. Lindberg managed to knock his country mate off the second place with 80.67 points over Barkered’s 79.0 points.
Drew Tabke (USA), seventh at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal, has been leading the overall standings more or less all season and is in the hot seat for the World Champion title. He still needs to perform in Verbier to stay in front of fellow competitors like Julien Lopez (FRA) and Reine Barkered (SWE), currently third and fourth on the overall standings. One of the season favourites, Jérémie Heitz of Switzerland, is sitting in second position overall but had a very unfortunate fall today, leading to a bad leg injury.

Snowboard Men
American Sammy Luebke is having a good season with constantly progressing results at each event, taking 10th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd and finally a win today in Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal! A well-earned victory of 81.67 points for Luebke, who rode an impressive fall line approach, involving a serious cliff jump off the edge of a steep spine.
Frenchman Jonathan Charlet took second, scoring 80.0 points by executing a dynamic run, combining big mountain skills at the top section and clean freestyle riding at the bottom. With today’s result Charlet just makes the cut to Verbier, taking the last fifth place. Charlet’s fellow countryman, Aurélien Routens, took his third podium of the season, once again proving confident of his typical style, fast, committed, big mountain riding, which today included an impressive straight line through a steep chute. Scoring 76.67 points and a third place, Routens, climbs to a second place on the overall standings. One of the season favourites Ralph Backstrom (USA), did not quite make it today with a 13th place, but is still hanging on to the overall standings, sitting on third coming in to Verbier.

Ski Women

Austrian Nadine Wallner has been riding consistently all season and leading the overall standings prior to Fieberbrunn. She certainly was on fire in front of her home crowd taking the first win of the year at home turf! Skiing a strong line with explosive style and good air, she placed herself on top, scoring 75.0 points.
Matilda Rapaport of Sweden had a sensational start on her first ever FWT competition. She skied an aggressive and clean line all the way to the finish line, with a score of 64,33 points and a second place. Currently standing second on the Freeride World Qualifiers, she received a wild card invitation to the event. Jacklyn Paaso (USA) was the first rider out of the gate today and skied a fast, dynamic line on the untouched face, taking third place with 64.0 points.
Despite a 7th place today, Pia Nic Gundersen (NOR) is still second on the overall standings. Reigning Freeride World Champion, Christine Hargin of Sweden was absent at Fieberbrunn-PillerseeTal, after hurting her knee a few days prior to the event. She is still holding on to third place overall and hopes to make it to the finals in Verbier.

Snowboard Women

The snowboard women put on a great show with the top riders pushing the envelope on the Austrian venue. The Mouthon sisters of France had the two most impressive runs putting them on the top spots of the podium. First placed Elodie Mouthon executed a stand out run, riding very confidently with an aggressive and high-speed approach, directly in the fall line and taking big air, giving her the score of 70.0 points. Her sister Anouck Mouthon had a complete different line choice but also rode powerful, fast turns down the venue, scoring 62.67 points. In third place and a score of 60.0 points, American Casey Lucas rode a smooth line including a big jump.
Current tour leader Margot Rozies of France took sixth place today, keeping the suspense alive in the race for the World Champion title. Elodie Mouthon (FRA) and Shannan Yates (USA), sitting in second and third position overall, will give Rozies a run for her money in Verbier.

Next stop: Freeride World Champions to be crowned in Verbier, Switzerland
All the excitement comes to a head at the sixth and final stage, the Swatch Xtreme Verbier 2013 by The North Face, March 23, 2013. The four Freeride World Tour Champions will be crowned at the 18th edition of the “Xtreme” when the athletes take on the legendary and notorious Bec des Rosses, considered the pinnacle of freeride competitions.

This past season we invited you to discover wonder. Watch a re-cap of the places you claimed and the stories you told as we journeyed together to map the wonders. And, get a hint of what's in store for next winter.

Whistler Blackcomb has been named the No. 1 overall ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine. The 26th annual readers' poll ranks the top 60 North America ski resorts in SKI Magazine's Resort Guide, hitting newsstands on October 16. The survey of 20,000 SKI readers is the longest running and most comprehensive survey of its kind in the winter sports industry.Along with being named the nº. 1 overall resort, Whistler Blackcomb ranked highly in many other individual categories, including: nº 1 overall in Terrain Variety, nº 2 overall in Service, Lodging, Apreski, Off Hill Activities, and Digital Presence.Whistler Blackcomb also placed in the top five resorts for Challenge of Terrain, Lifts, On-Mountain Food, Dining, Scenery, Terrain Parks, and Overall Guest Satisfaction.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Vail Resorts is now offering skiers and snowboarders from across the country access to the most resorts, the greatest flexibility and the best value in their ski and ride vacation next winter with its industry-leading season pass line-up. New this year, the Epic 4-Day Pass allows skiers and riders to save up to 30 percent off of lift tickets when skiing or riding any four days of the season at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood Resorts in Lake Tahoe at $349 for adults and $199 for children (ages 5-12).Vail Resorts is again offering the industry’s best-selling season pass—The Epic Pass—for the 2013-2014 winter season. The Epic Pass features eight world-class resorts across three states and access to 24,400 acres, 35 bowls and 31 terrain parks at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in California and Nevada at $689 for adults and $359 for children (ages 5-12). The Company has further enhanced the value of The Epic Pass by extending the number of days of free access to the legendary Verbier resort in Switzerland from three to five. Now, Epic Pass holders have the opportunity to extend their winter from the U.S. to Europe for the second consecutive year."We are thrilled to offer the new Epic 4-Day as part of Vail Resorts season pass line-up for the 2013-2014 winter season. The Epic 4-Day gives our guests the flexibility of one quick trip to any of eight world-class resorts in Colorado, California and Nevada and the peace of mind they can ski any four days of next season for the lowest price on lift tickets", said Kirsten Lynch, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. "Vail Resorts’ season passes give our guests the ability to choose what pass product is right for them based on which resorts they prefer and how much they plan to ski and ride next season. We encourage all of our guests to purchase their passes in the spring to take advantage of the lowest guaranteed price for the next winter season".

Vail Resorts is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. Vail Resorts operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado, and Heavenly, Northstar and now Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada, Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the GrandTeton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resorthotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estateplanning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Already for the third time, amateur sportsmen and passionate Alpine skiers have the unique chance to spend a couple of hours on the ski slope with Bode Miller. The renowned star of the US ski team will give you plenty of advice on skiing techniques, skiing equipment, ski tuning and .... après ski!Bode Miller will stay in Sölden for the entire weekend: from 19 to 21 April 2013 ski fans can enjoy unforgettable training units with him. All your questions will be answered as well, and of course you also receive a personal autograph.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Salomon Freeski TV: "By the time we landed we had an armed guard escorting us back to the military base". Chris Rubens and Tristan Knoertzer discover the challenges but also witness the triumphs of opening a heli ski operation in the war torn mountain ranges of Kashmir, India.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Salomon Freeski TV: It's always seemed a bit odd to us that so many good skiers can come from a country that is very flat and spends much of the winter consumed by darkness. AJ Kemppainen gives us a glimpse into his world as he trains for the competition season.

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Salomon Freeski TV: The 'Good Times' crew rides again. This time Kaj Zackrisson and Mike Douglas ski Switzerland using only the train to get around. In a challenging season in the Alps, the boys do a pretty good job of finding a lot of good powder.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Salomon Freeski TV: Alta, Utah has almost a cult-like following of devoted powder skiers. Leo Ahrens, Jamey Parks, and the many generations of Alta shredders show us the soul of skiing is alive and well in one of the best powder skiing spots on earth.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Freeride is blowing up, from the advancement of ski technology, to the merging of the sport’s previously separate world tours, and the refinement of snow safety forecasting and equipment. Freeride, once a fringe sport followed mainly by its practitioners, has made the breakthrough into mainstream awareness. What type of technology equipment made that media rise possible? Let’s have a look at some high-tech gear used on the Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face (FWT).
At the forefront of this push is the media production team of the Freeride World Tour. Cutting-edge video and photo production tools, once reserved for the controlled climate of indoor production studios have become a mainstay on the FWT when it comes to documenting the competitions. Through years of experience the tour’s production experts have learned how to bring these technologies into the harsh, unpredictable environment of the freeride competitions venues. And export these products to the world.
David Arnaud, head of production, explains. "On the Freeride World Tour we have the very best riders in the world, bring them to the top venues around, with fresh snow and bluebird skies. So we really try to give it justice in terms of pictures and video footage".
That means documenting the event with a variety of video angles and tools, including GoPro “on board” cameras on every rider, ultra slow-motion Phantom cameras, and aerial footage from a helicopter-mounted giro-stabilized camera called the Cineflex. All of this content comes together instantly and the live edit is made onsite and sent via satellite to the World Wide Web. An elite team including the director, editors, and the graphics all work under the shelter of a Mount Everest base camp-style installation at the bottom of the competition face. Satellite dishes and solar panels are there to secure power and transmissions.
To give you a peek behind the scenes of this incredible undertaking, FWT produced three videos highlighting these technologies and the challenges behind implementing them in tough high-mountain environments where the events take place.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Salomon Freeski TV: Holding the world record for snowfall, the bountiful Pacific Northwest of North America is the ideal location for a two-week, no fixed itinerary, powder adventure.
Cody Townsend, Elyse Saugstad & Leo Ahrens indulge themselves in the snowiest month of the snowiest year in a decade.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Salomon Freeski TV: It's unlikely there is any place on earth with as rich of ski history as Norway. Skiing is woven through every part of Norwegian culture and there is nowhere more beautiful to illustrate this than along the snowy Fjords of the Sogndal region.

Total Pageviews

Personal Details

Raul Revuelta is an internationally recognized public speaker, author, professor and tourism consultant.
"I hold a Doctorate in Geography and History from Madrid’s Complutense University together with a Master in Human Resources, specialized in Quality Management. In recent years my career and teaching and research work has centered around two areas: on the one hand, the integration of the principles of quality and sustainability in tourism, and on the other, sports and adventure tourism, with a special focus on the management of ski and mountain resorts.
I spend my spare time enjoying mountains and nature in general, but my biggest passion by far is skiing".